Martial arts weapons are a part of the learning process on the road to black belt. There are ups, downs, twists and turns that students must go through in the process of achieving this great goal.

The Weapons are used as an extension of your body all the same training in power, speed stances and form apply when using weapons.

This week in every class we will be working on weapons and helping you to get in tip top shape for the weapons tournament competition and demonstrations. Bring your weapons to class this week. The weapon is an extension of your body, so all the same rules apply when you work with a weapon.

1. Repetition: Practice any Kata or weapons move at least ten times in a row each day. When you perform, you don’t want to be thinking about the next move. You want to focus on doing EACH move as perfectly as possible. It takes a while to get to this point in any Weapons Kata, but the more times per day you do your Form the faster the Form will become a part of you.

2. Did you know that most weapons started off as farming tools? Unarmed peasants learned to use the tools to defend themselves.

KAMAS – these were farming sickles
NUNCHUKAUS – were developed from a horse’s bit
SAIS – were used to dig trenches in the ground
TONFA – is also the police nightstick. It was the handle of a millstone used for grinding up grain
BO STAFF – was developed from a stick held across the shoulder with baskets hanging on each end

Bring a buddy power pass: Pass offers students and 2 or more buddies a free 30 minute private karate lessons. Every buddy must fill out an information sheet. After the private lesson is completed, buddies will receive a very special offer from Amerikick.

AKL TOURNAMENTS are June 3rd. See your Sensei to be a part of the action.

BLACK BELT EXTRAVAGANZA is June 10th 2:30 and is the most exciting 2 hour martial arts show of the year!!! Call 1-856-797-0300 for tickets $5, $10 and $15. All top ten winners will perform Amerikick 1 on stage. See your Sensei for your free ticket.

I remember being so shy that first day, but in a few months all that shyness was gone. No one could stop me. It felt great. I could just be me. Every class I remember thinking how hard it was, but now I look back on everything I have done and think it is all worth it. Some people think that once you get your black belt, it’s the end of the road. But to me, it’s just the beginning.

I am 10 years old and I think it’s amazing to get all the way to black belt at this age. Some people don’t get their black belt until they are adults. It’s hard to believe that I started karate over 5 years ago. I mean how many people make it to black belt at 10 years old.

Karate has helped me learn right from wrong. It has also helped me keep my grades up. I have related every day things in to karate, like Math, Writing, and Social Studies. My sensei has once said, “There is no tomorrow. All you have is now”. That is why I do not put things off anymore. I remember being so afraid to mess up that I would just freeze. Now if I mess up, I keep going. Karate has helped me build my self-confidence.

At karate, if I ever have a question, somebody is always there to answer it. Karate is a place where I can get a break from reality, and just focus. At my black belt test, I will be very nervous, but I know I can do it. At every class, if I do not give it my all, I can’t stop thinking I let myself down. At my black belt test, if I don’t give it my all, I let my whole school down. Now that’s a lot of pressure.

Nervous,Proud, and Effort – These all describe how I will feel about my black belt test. Every class, I remember the advice I had been given and use it next class. My dad also does karate. He is a purple belt right now. He has made me better at karate. He might not have the highest kicks, straightest punches, or even some flexibility but he gives it his all every class. No matter what, my dad always comes home from class and teaches me new things, and I teach him.

That makes me very proud to be his daughter. I have come a long way with karate. Karate is not just a goal. It is a part of me that will be there forever. Karate is what I want to do when I am older. Karate has been an amazing journey. This essay is just one step closer to my black belt. This may be the end of essay, but it is the beginning to my black belt.

In the past 8 years I have learned all my katas from little dragon to corio. Sometimes I would get discouraged when it seemed so long to get that next belt but when I did finally get the next color belt I became motivated again and more excited since it was getting me closer to that black belt that I wanted. Over the years I have become a stronger person and have gained confidence in everything I do. Karate is a great experience to accomplish your goals and to be more confident and believe in yourself. Since karate is not a team sport, it is with my own determination to work hard to achieve my goal.

All of the Sensei’s have been very encouraging over the years. I work with Sensei Kevin in most of my classes now, so he has been the most encouraging to me. Watching Sensei Kevin perform gives me a goal that I want to accomplish. He is an amazing instructor and really makes me feel that he wants to help me be a better student. I want to be able to do karate like him.

Sensei Kevin and all of my Sensei’s teach us to respect everyone. I have met good friends at karate and like going to class not only to learn but to have fun. I really like practicing with weapons and I have a great time when we play different games. I really enjoy sparring on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Sparring has given me the capability to work on moves that could help me protect myself if I ever need to and it teaches strength and endurance.

Getting my black belt is going to be challenging but I know I can do it. Karate pushes me to work harder and try to be the best that I can be. I have learned that I can’t always give up if I don’t like something. It is the same for school when I have to work harder to get better grades. I will be proud that I finished what I started and I am also excited to perform for my family at the extravaganza.

I also want to thank Sensei Sharon and Sensei Dennis for encouraging me and teaching and correcting me in karate throughout the years. They want me to do the best I can. I hope I can become a Sensei so I can help younger kids who are just starting out at AmeriKick.

As the AmeriKick saying goes “As AmeriKick students I will work hard, aim high and finish what I start.”

To me a black belt means an accomplishment that I honestly did not expect to get to. More than once I remember telling my mom how much I wanted to quit karate. There were many times that I would have preferred to stay home playing and not go into class. I lost interest in it the higher belt I received. My mother pushed me and pushed me to make my classes. She kept telling me that I had to learn to finish what I started and that meant getting my black belt. She always mentioned that in life you never give up and that is exactly what I have been doing.

I remember exactly the day I received my red belt. Instead of being happy I was scared, no not scared, I was TERRIFIED. I knew that receiving my red belt only meant that I was closer to my black belt test. To me that was a nightmare because I did not feel prepared for the test. Every month that I received a black stripe on my belt I got even more scared because now there was really no way to stop time and avoid doing the black belt test. I have been scared of this test since I was a 3rd Q brown belt. I always doubted all the hard work and dedication that I had put into all my years of karate training and all the time spent by my mother making sure I was in class. Now all that hard work is paying off.

I am extremely close to my black belt and I cannot help but feel not only prepared but also excited and proud of everything I have accomplished. Every time that I go into class and see my black belt on that rack it makes me train even harder to finally be able to tie it around my waist. I must admit that karate is nothing like I thought it was going to be. At four years old I wanted to join karate to become a ninja. I know now that karate and ninjas have very little in common and that is all thanks to the wonderful training I have received from my sensei. I know now that I am not going to become a ninja and I can say without a doubt that earning my black belt is 100 million times cooler. I have worked hard and I feel ready to cross that finish line and make everyone that has supported me and helped all these years feel as proud as I do for finally getting my black belt.

Earning my black belt means finishing what I started as I heard my mother tell me time and time again. Earning my black belt means being a role model for my brother so he can be motivated to work harder so he also one day have the satisfaction of earning his black belt. Earning my black belts means showing my brother that I am not a quitter and neither will he. Earning my black belt means that I DID IT that I earned the right to carry the title of Sensei Edwin!!!!

HEAD SLIPS- There are 6 basic head slips
1. Straight Down
2.To the Right Side
3.To the Left Side
4.Forward to a Left angle
5. Forward to a Right angle
6.Straight Back

When you perform as a slip, your goal is to move at the last moment so your opponent can’t follow you, and slip as close as possible so that you can counter attack. When you slip your head be sure to maintain eye contact at all times.

BODY SLIPS- 3 Main Body slips
1. Twist Left
2. Twist Right
3. Pull Back (Pull the Hips back and suck in the stomach)

MIRROR SLIPPING DRILL- Face the mirror in a sparring stance and pretend different punches and kicks are coming at your head and body. Practice staying in your stance, slipping, and quickly returning right back to position.

“The best way of blocking is not being there.” This is a martial arts quote, moving out of the way is even safer than blocking. It is also a Life quote.

“Bad results come from bad situations. Don’t put yourself in bad situations.” These quotes are about keeping yourself out of trouble. Staying away from people who encourage bad behavior,and not participating in anything that you know is wrong.  “Sometimes a small wrong thing, can lead to a very big wrong thing.”

Here is a list see how many you know:

Windmill Block – Practice doing both sides in a row. Focus on quickly, moving your head.
Brushing – Like a windmill block but the back of the hand brushes across the strike.
Cobra and Reverse Cobra
Fish Hook
Palm Blocks
Hook
Wing
Crane
Wedge
Top Knuckle
Elbow Blocks
Circular Blocks – (Wax on, Wax off, closed or open hand)
X Block – Upward and Downward
Double Blades
Sinawali open hand
Hand Checks
Universal Block

LEG BLOCKS
Leg Checks
Knee and leg blocks
Iron wall jam

1. HARD BLOCKS: A hard block is when you take the punch or kick and forcefully STOP or REDIRECT IT. All of the basic blocks: Inward, Outward, Upward, and Downward are hard blocks. They rely on form and power, and are designed not just to block, but to injure the attackers arm or leg.

2. SOFT BLOCKS: A soft block takes the punch or kick and guides it through its natural motion. They are often combined with an avoidance move. Windmill Guard is a soft block.

3. POWER: To develop bone crushing power on your hard blocks, concentrate on a strong fast and focused wrist turn at the very end of your block. This turns the block into a devastating strike. Practice it on focus pads.

1. STEP: With both feet together jump all the way up a set of stairs. Do it everyday as many times as you can.

2. TB DRILL – SQUAT: If you have ever visited China, you’ll see why their martial artists have such incredible leaps and jumps. They don’t sit on chairs nearly as much as Americans; they squat, when they are reading, eating, or waiting for the bus. See if you can watch an entire show while in a squat.

3. INCH BY INCH: Ninjas used to improve their jumps by digging a hole into the ground just deep enough that they could jump out. Everyday they would dig an inch deeper, and try to jump out. After many months they could jump over a grown man’s head. You can do a simpler version, just put a piece of tape up high on a wall outside of your house and try to jump up and reach it with your hand. Raise it a little higher everyday.

Bring your kids with you

Finally something you and your kids can do together.

In the past few years of karate, I have learned all of the katas, defense techniques, weapons, and how to spar. Every belt level I develop a new skill.

The lessons in life are good words to live by. I have used them in my daily routine at home, in school and other situations.

I have made many good friends. All the Sensei’s are very encouraging and supportive. I especially admire Sensei Nick for all he has done. I hope to be like him some day. He has inspired me to do my best and work hard in school, at home, and no matter what I do.

Every Saturday I take a private lesson with Sensei Nick, which I really appreciate. He has taught me to work hard and do my best. He has taught me a lot.

Every time I have had a private lesson with Sensei Nick, I have always tried to do my best. Whether it was practicing katas, weapons or techniques. I can remember Sensei Nick telling me to do better or focus more. He always made me do everything over and over until I really understood what I was doing. I really like Sensei Nick and appreciate what he has taught me. If he did not take the extra time to pump me up, I might not be here today.

I have also learned to be part of a team. We all encourage each other to do our best. The higher belt levels really help and encourage the lower belt levels. I like to help and encourage others as much as I can.

I can always remember during class to say “Yes, Sensei!” whenever the Sensei’s told us to do something. When I am at school during class I shout out “Yes, Sensei!” whenever the teachers tell us to do something. I did not even know that I was saying it. I guess that carried over from taking a lot of classes. I like and try to be the best and loudest in my class.

I also really appreciate all of the other Sensei’s for all of the help and encouragement over the years. Sensei Jamel is a very good teacher. I have learned a whole lot from him, too.

Karate is a challenge. That is why I like it. It challenges me to do things that I never thought I could do. It also challenges me to want to do more and learn more, and be the best that I can be.

I would like to finish my essay by saying that what a black belt means to me is working your hardest to complete your goals whether it is in school, work, sports, martial arts, etc. It is to do our best to reach our goals, and we will achieve them.

I will do my best and give it my all to pass my black belt test and achieve my first goal. I know that this is just the beginning and there is a long road ahead, but I will get there someday.

It was an amazing weekend and an amazing showing at the 20th annual Amerikick Internationals. Over 1,000 competitors from all over the United States, Canada and Europe traveled to Philadelphia to compete at the NASKA World Rated AMERIKICK International Karate Championships.

Min and Jin Lee 5 first places

Friday began with the super exciting continuous sparring divisions. Both junior and adults competitors went to battle in this event. Then all the weapons divisions began. Super performances from the top competitors could be seen in many rings. You never saw a weapon move so fast! The colorbelt rings also show cased lots of amateur talent. Logan Kulick of Warrington won 2 first places! From the young white belts to the older and more experienced brown belts and red belts, the extreme weapons and musical divisions were amazing to watch.

The highlights of Friday night are always the Demo Team divisions. Every Amerikick school enters a team to hopefully earn bragging rights and the title of Demo Team Champion. This year saw over 25 teams enter. There was tough competition to say the least. Stand out performances were made by the 1st place winner of the Dragons, Team Eggharbor Township.

Amerikick Warrington put on a spectacular performance in the colorbelt division. Thanks to Jimmy Sholly, Hailey Metzgar, Grace Newell, Mckenzie McCarty, Alex Ursino, Aiden Heiser and Ian Sharp, all led by the super energy of Micheal Errichetti.

The Warrington black belt team put on a great performances. Emily Cid, Isablla Manzella, Anthony Fonterossa, Blake Feingold, Kain Johnson, Tommy Balkir and, Ben Wenzke. Made us proud!

Tommy took home 1st place in Amerikick Forms, 1st in Amerikick Weapons, 2nd in Amerikick Sparring, 2nd in NASKA Weapons, 3rd in NASKA Forms, and 3rd in NASKA Sparring!!

Saturday’s began with weapons in the colorbelt rings and the NASKA black belt divisions. It was great to see many Amerikick black belts enter the NASKA rated divisions. Warrington black belt Emily Cid along with Isabella Manzella, Katy and Nick Nichini, Ben Wenzke, and Tommy Balkir all were winners in the highly competitive divisions.

Emily Cid and Tommy Balkir : Tommy Balkir took home 1st place in Amerikick Forms, 1st in Amerikick Weapons, 2nd in Amerikick Sparring, 2nd in NASKA Weapons, 3rd in NASKA Forms, and 3rd in NASKA Sparring!!

The colorbelt rings had an over whelming number of competi-tors. There were divisions with over 40 competitors that were separated four times! This showed the great excitement and support for the events. Christina Fonterosa took a first place crushing the competition with a beautifully executed Koreyo form.

Christina Fonterosa 1st place sparring and Kata | Anthony Fonterosa first place kata

RYAN PINTO 1st Place Kata. A perfectly executed form. Way to go ryan!

The adult sparring divisons were amazing with Amerikick World Team member Alana Wegfahrt, from Warrington, winning first place in the womens light weight divison as well leading the womens fighting team to victory. Sensei Kevin, Sensei Eric and Sensei Dennis all rocked in their fighting divisions. You make us proud! Great Job Everyone!

ALANA Wegfarht 1st place womens lightweight sparring